Robert Plant and Alison Kraus

Via The Pheonix

There’s a blues and old-school R&B resurgence rumbling in the indie-music underground, and it goes well beyond the icky thump of the White Stripes. Its first populist signs are fresh albums featuring Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant collaborating with bluegrass diva Alison Krauss and soul survivor Bettye LaVette teaming with Dirty Southern rockers the Drive-By Truckers.

This creative movement began percolating in the mid ’90s, when the Fat Possum label released the nastiest, punkiest authentic juke-joint blues in decades. Through shrewd marketing, hip-hop remixes, and the support of rockers like Iggy Pop and Jon Spencer, old Mississippi dogs like R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough found a new audience of young pups. Those pups — including Jack White — began digging back to ’60s icons like Fred McDowell and to acoustic Delta kingpins Son House and Robert Johnson, whose songs have since been covered by, among others, the White Stripes (House’s “John the Revelator” and “Death Letter”) and Juliana Hatfield (Johnson’s “Malted Milk”).

In 2000, bluegrass got a big bump thanks to the smash soundtrack for Ethan and Joel Coen’s O Brother, Where Art Thou? The resulting rediscovery of mountain musicians like Ralph Stanley, Doc Boggs, and Bill Monroe triggered a bluegrass and old-time-music renaissance, with more new bands than you can shake a mandolin at. Charlottesville’s King Wilkie and Boston’s Tarbox Ramblers are among the established exponents. This year, younger outfits like Portland’s Blitzen Trapper and Seattle’s Cave Singer have stepped to the fore.

Now, it seems that blues and R&B are getting their turn. An eruption of new bands, labels, festivals, and musical surprises like Plant & Krauss’s Raising Sand (Rounder) and LaVette’s The Scene of the Crime is generating cultural heat.

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - November 2, 2007) - Atlantic Records has announced details of "THE GREAT DEBATERS - MUSIC FROM & RECORDED FOR THE MOTION PICTURE," the original motion picture soundtrack to the forthcoming Weinstein Company theatrical release. Due in stores on December 11th, the album features an extraordinary roster of modern artists -- including Sharon Jones, Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops -- performing pre-1935 blues, folk, jazz, and gospel classics. Directed by and starring Academy Award®-winner Denzel Washington, "The Great Debaters" is set to open in theatres nationwide on December 25th.

The pre-1935 songs were hand picked by Denzel Washington for the various on camera scenes from over 1000 songs from the period. Recorded largely at Memphis' world-renowned Ardent Studios, "THE GREAT DEBATERS - MUSIC FROM & RECORDED FOR THE MOTION PICTURE" centers around Grammy Award-winning blues singer/guitarist Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart and Brooklyn-based soul sensation Sharon Jones, who are featured both as solo performers and in collaboration with the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Among the album's many highlights is a version of the traditional "Step It Up and Go," performed by Hart and legendary Hi Rhythm Section guitarist Teenie Hodges (Al Green, Ann Peebles). In addition, Hart unites with traditional African-American string band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, for a series of songs, including a stunning take on Blind Willie Johnson's "Nobody's Fault But Mine" and the exciting Mississippi Sheiks hit, "I've Got Blood In My Eyes For You."

Elsewhere, Jones pairs with Memphis' acclaimed community choir, Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith, for soaring renditions of such classic spirituals as "We Shall Not Be Moved" and "Up Above My Head." "THE GREAT DEBATERS - MUSIC FROM & RECORDED FOR THE MOTION PICTURE" also features jazz favorites like Duke Ellington's "Delta Serenade," performed by the esteemed New York-based big band, David Berger and the Sultans of Swing. The collection is rounded off by period recordings from such luminaries as Marian Anderson, Art Tatum, and the Delmore Brothers.

Paying tribute to classic soul tunes, Guy Sebastian has selected some of the finest tunes from the soul era to create 'The Memphis Album'. Guy crafted this album with original Stax musicians including Steve Cropper, Donald 'Duck' Dunn, Steve Potts, Lester Snell, Dave Smith to reinvent these classics and make them truly his own. The incredible line-up of tracks includes 'In the Midnight Hour', 'Take Me to The River', 'Knock On Wood' and 'I Can't Stand The Rain'.

Full Tracklisting:

Soul Man
Hold On I'm Coming
In The Midnight Hour
I Can't Stand The Rain
Take Me To The River
Knock On Wood
Respect Yourself
(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
Hard To Handle
Let's Stay Together
I've Been Loving You Too Long
Hallelujah I Love Her So
I'd Like To Get To Know You
Under The Boardwalk

From Guy's Management:
A small community station was the first to play the single – Midnight Hour – yesterday and halfway through the first playing the song their server had a melt down because they had so many calls – nearly 2000 in 2 minutes. They had to go off air for 5min and said they have never seen anything like it.

THE GREAT DEBATERS - MUSIC RECORDED FOR THE MOTION PICTURE WITH VINTAGE TRACKS, is due in stores on December 11th, the album features a extraordinary roster of modern artists - including Sharon Jones, Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops - performing pre-1935 blues, folk, jazz, and gospel classics. Directed by and starring Academy Award®-winner Denzel Washington, The Great Debaters is set to open in theatres nationwide on December 25th.

"The Great Debaters - Music From The Motion Picture" (Atlantic)
1. "My Soul Is A Witness" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart & Sharon Jones
2. "That's What My Baby Likes" - Sharon Jones, Alvin Youngblood Hart & Teenie Hodges
3. "I've Got Blood In My Eyes For You" - The Carolina Chocolate Drops & Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart
4. "Step It Up and Go" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart & Teenie Hodges
5. "It's Tight Like That" - Sharon Jones, Alvin Youngblood Hart & Teenie Hodges
6. "Busy Bootin'" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart & The Carolina Chocolate Drops
7. "City Of Refuge" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart & The Carolina Chocolate Drops
8. "Two Wings" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart, Sharon Jones w/Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith
9. "Delta Serenade" - David Berger & The Sultans of Swing
10. "Rock n' Rye" - David Berger & The Sultans of Swing
11. "Wild About That Thing" - Sharon Jones, Alvin Youngblood Hart, & Teenie Hodges
12. "Nobody's Fault But Mine" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart & The Carolina Chocolate Drops
13. "How Long Before I Change My Clothes" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart
14. "We Shall Not Be Moved" - Sharon Jones w/Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith
15. "Up Above My Head" - Sharon Jones w/Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith
16. "The Shout" - Art Tatum
17. "Scoodle Um Skoo" - Papa Charlie Jackson
18. "I Ain't Got Nowhere To Travel" - The Delmore Brothers
19. "Begrussung" - Marian Anderson

To celebrate this release of Guy Sebastian's new album 'The Memphis Album' on Saturday, November 10, he has announced that he will hit the road and tour nationally in February/March 2008 with original musicians that defined soul music in the 1960s - The MGs and members of the mighty Blues Brothers band! Tix go on sale November 12 with limited Soul Lounge passes to Guy's sound check and more also available - don't miss out!

This February/March 2008, Guy Sebastian will bring you some of the best soul classics ever written performed by 1960s legends The MGs and Blues Brothers band in his "Memphis Tour".

Guy will be performing classics like 'Soul Man', 'In The Midnight Hour', 'Knock On Wood', 'Respect Yourself' and '(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay' from his new album 'The Memphis Album' which hits stores this Saturday, November 10.

While recording 'The Memphis Album' in Memphis, The MGs (who worked with the likes of Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Al Green, Wilson Pickett & Booker T) agreed to travel to Australia and go on the road with Sebastian to showcase his new album to Australian audiences.

It's sure to be an unmissable tour with Guy singing the songs he was born to sing, so grab your tickets on sale MONDAY NOVEMBER 12 when they go on sale!

ATTENTION FANS! Fans that purchase an A reserve ticket to any of Guy Sebastian's Memphis Tour shows are entitled to a Soul Lounge pass giving you the ultimate fan experience including access to Guy Sebastian's sound-check, a premiere viewing of a video highlighting Guy's visit to Memphis PLUS to an exclusive Q & A session with Guy - move fast to get yours!

The Memphis Tour Dates:

Friday 29th February - Canberra Theatre
Saturday 1st March - Melbourne Palais Theatre
Sunday 2nd March - Hobart Westpoint Entertainment Centre
Tuesday 4th March - Wollongong Regent Theatre
Thursday 6th March - Sydney The State Theatre
Wednesday 12th March - Newcastle Civic Theatre
Friday 14th March - Brisbane Concert Hall (QPAC)
Thursday 20th March - Adelaide Festival Theatre
Saturday 22nd March - Perth Concert Hall

In the photo: Vocalist Susan Marshall, studio owner John Fry, studio manager Jody Stephens, Dusty Wakeman of Royer Labs, engineer Jeff Powell, John Jennings of Royer Labs, and John Curley of The Afghan Whigs.

Royer Labs, one of the countries foremost manufacturers of ribbon microphones, came to Ardent Studios this week to give a mic demonstration in Studio A. The event was put on by the Memphis chapter of NARAS. Twenty five guests, along with several Ardent employees, were in attendance. John Jennings and Dusty Wakeman of Royer Labs were also on hand, all the way from Burbank, California. Jeff Powell engineered and Jason Gillespie assisted.

The musicians playing on the session were as follows: Susan Marshall on vocals and piano, Sam Shoup on upright bass, Ryan Peel on drums, Dave Cousar on guitar, and Al Gamble on organ. For more information on Royer Labs, please visit www.royerlabs.com.

By Sue Turpie - Arts and Entertainment

Via Bendigo Weekly

GUY Sebastian has admitted he didn’t enter the music industry in the “normal fashion”. So it isn’t at all surprising he’s taken a few interesting steps during his career.

The latest is the release of the Memphis Album, a compilation honoring the 50th anniversary of Stax Record, a label synonomous with Southern soul music.

Between recording and promoting the album, the Arias, cocktail drinks, film clips and getting up at 5am to board a plane, Guy’s sounding pretty chirpy.Although he’s “hanging for a power nap”.

“I love what I do, I enjoy every minute of it. The last six months have been non-stop.”

Guy travelled to Memphis to record the album and worked with some of soul’s greatest musicians. It was a project born from a thought that it would be an interesting project to do.

“It wasn’t something I really planned. I thought I’d put it out there,” he said. “I grew up on Memphis music. I was an isolated musical nerd, listening to Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett.
“All my mates were listening to Guns ‘N Roses, New Kids on the Block. The music I was listening to was worlds apart from what was on the top 40."

“I grew up on soul, it is my primary influence. Even when I’m singing rock it’s always been soulful. Then I ended up in a gospel rock bank, played violin in an orchestra, then drums in a funk band.I love being able to be transient in genres. This album helped me define what I do best, and not stray from it. I’m a soul artist.”

So for Guy it was heaven to work with the likes of Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Steve Potts, Lester Snell, Dave Smith, Rick Steff, Jim Spake, Kirk Smothers, Scott Thompson and Howard Lamb.

“I have a huge love for Memphis music and knew it was the 50th anniversary of Stax Records. I thought I could put out an album. We made phone calls and I think they turned it down at first.
“I sent over a couple of live things, then Steve Cropper phoned back saying: ‘I really like this guys voice’.”

Steve penned incredible hits such as In the Midnight Hour and Knock on Wood, and has worked with some amazing artists so that can be taken as a major compliment.

“I was in Memphis on Elvis Week for the 30th anniversary of his death,” Guy said. “I recorded some of my favorite, favorite songs. It was an amazing experience. It was all recorded in a small room on analogue tapes which was how it was recorded in the old school. We did 14 tracks in four days."

The raw form is obvious and while there is no doubt the musicians are incredible, they remain in the background enough to let Guy’s voice make an impact.

“It was really casual. These guys would tell these stories about Elvis for two hours, then do 10 to 15 minutes of recording. They get a vibe, they’re relaxed and chill and then turn it on for 10 minutes – it was a magic 10 minutes. With "I Can’t Stand the Rain", I went in the studio and said I’d like it to start on an organ ... and said do you want to have a rehearsal. The guys just said “let’s run it and see how it goes. We did one take.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FIRST STUDIO RELEASE ON BAND'S OWN LABEL

The North Mississippi Allstars are proud to announce the release of their fifth studio record. Entitled, "Hernando," the record will be released on January 22, 2008. It is the band's first studio album to be released on their own label, Sounds of the South Records. "Hernando"
also marks the first release since 2005's critically lauded and Grammy-nominated "Electric Blue Watermelon."

Where "EBW" was a tribute to the tradition of the Hill Country Blues legacy that has always influenced the band, the brothers Dickinson -- Luther (guitars, vocals) and Cody (drums) -- and bassist Chris Chew, decided to cut the lines from the past with the new record and create their most personal sonic statement to date. To celebrate this newfound unity in independence, they called the record "Hernando," which is the name of the town the trio grew up in together.

"This is definitely our most focused record of original music that we've done," says Luther. "This records stands alone... we don't draw as much on our Hill Country roots. We're a blues rock band and set out to make a blues rock record."

Despite the new direction, the band kept the proceedings close to home. Not only did they have their dad, legendary producer Jim Dickinson, produce the record along with the band once again, they made it in the studio on his property (they spent most of September 2007 at Zebra Ranch Studio, aka "The Barn," creating 11 songs of mostly original material).

"Hernando" is a perfect representation of where North Mississippi Allstars are now. It's the sound of a world-class rock trio stripped to its bare essentials - each musician focused on his own personal-best performance yet intrinsically aware of the other players and the song - a communication only found between lifelong friends who have played and toured together for 11 years.

"Hernando" is maximum-energy blues rock; it is THE North Mississippi Allstars' original blues rock record. It's a culmination of all their experiences up to this point. It's finally a band that is as confident in the studio as it is on the stage.

Look for the North Mississippi Allstars to launch a national tour in conjunction with the release of "Hernando."

The North Mississippi Allstars recorded their previous record (Electric Blue Watermelon) at Ardent Studios.

According to Variety

Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac will star as estranged soul-singing legends on a reunion tour in "Soul Men," a Dimension Films comedy that will begin production Jan. 15.

David Friendly and Steven Greener will produce. Comedy was scripted by Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone, the writing team behind "Intolerable Cruelty," "Life" and "Man of the House."

Jackson and Mac will play two former backup soul singers who are part of a famed group. They haven't spoken to each other in 20 years but reluctantly agree to travel together for a tribute performance in honor of their recently deceased band leader.

Both Jackson and Mac will dance and sing, and the film is negotiating for access to the Stax Records catalog. Jackson's deal is closed, and Mac is in negotiations.

Greener, who is Mac's manager, hatched the idea, enlisted Friendly to produce with him and brought in Ramsey and Stone because of the relationship they developed with Mac on "Life." Project originated at New Line but was recently picked up and fast-tracked by Dimension.

Jackson takes on the role after he completes the Frank Miller-directed "The Spirit." Mac is coming off the Walt Becker-directed Disney comedy "Old Dogs."

Guy Sebastian and Engineer Curry Weber in Ardent's Studio A

After months of anticipation, Guy Sebastian's The Memphis Album was finally released in Australia on the 10th of November, to overwhelming critical and fan response. The album has reached Number Two on Australian iTunes a mere 2 days after its release.

Guy will embark on an Australian tour early next year with many of the players involved in the recording here at Ardent Studios. For a video of Guy talking about his experiences coming to Memphis and recording at Ardent, point your browser to http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid229520678/bclid1305059582/bctid1305011505.